Back to GP even though having radiotherapy at the moment

Hi  Carola55,

Welcome to our online community and thanks for posting your question. My name is Amy and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.

We’re sorry to hear you both feel like you are being passed from pillar to post in trying to get your husbands testicular lump reviewed. It’s frustrating when no-one will take overall responsibility for investigating this.

It’s unclear why the consultant couldn’t arrange this ultrasound scan for you.

I would encourage you to get back in touch with the specialist nurse and explain the GP has just referred him back to the consultant. Explain you are concerned that no-one is taking responsibility and you would like clear guidance on what to do next. Will the consultant arrange any necessary investigations and if not, why not.

You can also go back to the GP and ask if they can refer your husband for a direct access ultrasound scan as outlined in the NICE guidelines (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence).  

I hope this helps. If you think it might help to chat things through you are more than welcome to give our support line a call, the details are below.

Please don’t hesitate to get back in touch if you need any further information or support.

Best wishes, 

Amy C, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

Ref: AC/FP

Hi well things have gone from bad to worse now after my GO referred my husband back to the consultant asking for a scan to be done which they did the consultant said it was a cyst and nothing needed to be done.  3 days after the scan his testicle swelled up and became painful, I once again phoned Urology and again I was told to contact my husbands GP I told her the surgery was closed but still she said to contact the GP the following day.

I decided to speak with 111 who advised us to go to A&E where a scan was arranged which my husband had and we were told there was a mass in his scrotum and fluid in the testes. He has had blood tests to show markers for a tumour and we are currently waiting for the results 

this was a different hospital as we were at our holiday lodge but 5 weeks were wasted as I couldn’t get the hospital or urology dept he was under to do anything the consultant didn’t even look at the swollen testicle or lump

is this normal for a consultant or urologist to tell a patient undergoing treatment to go back to their GP just because they have a problem they feel is not related to the treatment they are having 

thank you

Hello Carola55,

Thanks for getting back in touch with us.  I am sorry to read about the difficult time you have both experienced and that your husband has been diagnosed with a mass in the scrotum.

My name is Linda, and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists working on the Macmillan support line. 

Unfortunately, it’s common to be told to go back to the GP if they feel the problem is not related, as the GP is responsible for making referrals to the appropriate specialist.

In your husband’s case this is more unusual as he was already being treated by the urology team and it’s understandable that you are confused by the actions of the consultant.

You may find it helpful to discuss this further with the consultant or speak with your husband’s clinical nurse specialist (CNS).

Alternatively, you may wish to discuss your concerns with the Patient advice and liaison service (PALS) department at your treating hospital. They are normally found in the front foyer of the hospital, or you will find their contact details online.

I hope this helps.

Take care and best wishes,

 Linda J.

(Cancer Information Nurse Specialist)

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

Ref: LJ/VG